By Martin Opara
A renowned public affairs commentator and educationist, Dr (Mrs) Nma Olebra, wife of ace broadcaster, comedian and singer, Nnamdi Olebra has cried out over non payment of 48 months pension, since her retirement in 2015 and subsequently embarked on a three day hunger strike.
When contacted on phone for comment in respect of the post on her Facebook page, Dr. Olebra, said the calls she received from fellow pensioners who are hungry, have no food and cannot afford their prescribed drugs disillusioned and agitated her mind.
“I embarked on a 3day hunger strike because of the calls I received from distressed pensioners over the weekend. How can I be eating when some of us are dying because they cannot afford their drugs and diet?” “One called me, asking for money to enable her soak garri in water and drink, while cursing those who subjected her to such trauma. The second person who called me, said she went to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri and doesn’t have money to buy the drugs prescribed for her while the third person called and said, “Nma, sorry to disturb you again, please I will send my grandchild to you, for some cups of rice, to enable me eat before taking my drugs”.
“How can I be eating and sleeping when some of my fellow pensioners are dying of hunger, deprivation and frustration arising from non payment of their statutory entitlements. May God come to our rescue”.
She recalled that the Rochas Okorocha rescue mission government was owing her 40 months pension before it left office, while the Hope Uzodinma government is owing her and some of her colleagues 8 months pension. “The worst part of it is that, when we protested to attract attention to our pitiable plight, the shared prosperity government hired thugs to molest and flog us”, she stated.
